"We support our teachers, but we don't like the union's tactics and we want the strike to end," said Piper. "I feel the union (the Oakland Education Association) is manipulating people."

On the other side, the group thinks the district needs to make "significant" cuts in administrative spending as the union has demanded. They said they are willing to serve on district budget committees to make sure necessary central administration cuts and reforms take place.

The parents also are asking the union and district to submit to binding arbitration if the labor dispute persists into next week. They also support Mayor Elihu Harris' salary proposal, which called for a 5 percent increase this year and 3 percent in each of the following two years.

Parents for the Forgotten Children includes many of the people who participated in a meeting with the teachers union organized by the Oakland Coalition of Congregations in an unsuccessful attempt to avert the strike, which began February 15.

"I am livid that this has gone on so long. I feel the union is letting things fall apart just to make a point," Piper said.

At last night's City Council meeting, Councilman Ignacio De La Fuente postponed his intention, declared last week, to push for a city takeover of the school district. Instead, at his request, the council voted to take a week to explore what powers the city might have under the city charter to intervene in the operation of the public schools.

Those powers could include the city appointing school board members, who are now elected, advocates of city intervention say.

Several parents and teachers spoke in favor of the city playing a stronger role, including Norm Collins, a father of five children. "We need to act right now," he said. "We need the City Council's help -- we require the city's help."